The Great Solar Eclipse of 2017 crossed the continent, from Oregon to South Carolina, and gave millions of people the chance to witness one of the most awe-inspiring events in the natural world.

But you had to be within the "path of totality", a narrow band across the earth's surface several thousand miles long but only about 70 miles wide. Outside that band you would only see a partial eclipse, not a total eclipse.

And there is no such thing as a "partial total eclipse", despite the impression blogs and the news media might give. I honestly think that's why so many people misunderstand the utter beauty of the spectacle; they may have seen a partial eclipse in the past that was total somewhere else, and even though they weren't in the path the news kept gushing about it being a total eclipse, so they assume they must have seen a total eclipse and just didn't find it all that impressive.


Posted by Dan 08/29/2017, revised 09/06/2017

Splat would like to attend also.
Posted by Kim 01/03/2011

Yup, I'm taking over my page now! Since 2003 i haven't done anything except a trip on my bike last summer. Well, I guess that about brings us up to date. Moving on.

My summer was spent in the wonderful little village of San Luis Obispo, nestled against the California coastal range, where i participated in an internship at the 'we're too good for Nik' Cal Poly University. Let me just say, SLO rocks! As do all the wonderful people i met there this summer, and I can't wait to return next year.

We'll cut into this little reminiscion with a recount of my last mini-backpacking trip near Sequoia National Park, so i can put in some cool pictures.

A friend from the internship and I headed out after work on friday for a weekend backpacking trip in the Sierra's. We got in late and stayed at a little walk in camp that was tucked waaay up a small winding backroad near the trailhead. This was also the only bear sighting on our trip. We awoke early to find a black bear not more than 50 yards off in the camp area. He wasn't interested in our food though, just beating up the trees around there.

Backpacking in the High Sierras

Posted by nik 08/22/2008, revised 08/22/2008

This will be a short entry since I'm paying for internet, but I think it's best to update you guys on what a great time I'm having in New Zealand! Yes, I'm in New Zealand on my mid-semester break, here for one week. And yes, it's incredible. I (probably) won't have pictures posted until I get free internet, but check back in a few days, because I've got some GREAT pictures! Although they don't do justice to the beauty of this place.

Alright, how do I update you on everything whilst still keeping it short? Let's see how this goes...

My whole trip is on the South Island, I don't have time to head up to the North Island. My time is too short here as it is. I stayed my first night in Christchurch, but left the next morning and spent the next day and a half hitching my way to Queenstown, the "Adventure Capital of the World." This is where all the bungeeing, skydiving, snowboarding, anything extreme happens.

Anyway, it's a gorgeous little tourist town on a gorgeous glacial lake with a gorgeous backdrop of dramatic, craggy mountains. My first day, I took the gondola up the hillside for a great view of the whole area. Breathtaking. However, "breathtaking" took on a whole new meaning yesterday, when I took a day trip to Milford Sound. The 4-hour bus ride took me through incredible landscapes that had me snapping pictures out the window the whole time. But once we actually got to the Sound (which is actually not a sound, but a fjord), I don't think my lens was ever closed!

For the 2 hour cruise up and down the Sound, I couldn't look up without feeling like the view in front of me must be the most spectacular view in the world. Thank God for a spare camera battery and 2 GB card! Actually no, thank G&G for those! :) Perfect Christmas gifts!

Me on the cruise through Milford Sound... absolutely gorgeous scenery all around!

Posted by Whitney 04/30/2008, revised 04/30/2008